Improvement in bustles



A. 'w. THOMAS.

Bustles.

Paitented July 15, 18 73.

AM. PHoTo-umosRAPn/c ca MY. dss-ows's mums) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

AMOS w. THOMAS, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BUSTLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,966, dated July 15, 1873; application filed June 5, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMOS W. THOMAS, of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Bustle, of which the following is a specification:

My invention has for its object to improve the construction of bustles or townures so as to admit of their being manufactured more easily and with less cost than heretofore, while retaining the qualities of elegance and durability. My improvements consist in the peculiar construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, having reference particularly, first, to a new method of bracing the bows, said method consisting essentially in arranging the lowest bow of the series employed so that its extremities will serve as braces for the other bows, thereby affording a beneficial support for said bows, and dispensing with the employment of auxiliary braces or stays for the same purpose; second, to a new method of covering the ends of the bows so as to dispense with the employment of separate material for that purpose, said method consisting in lapping the back-strap over the ends of the bows, and securing the same by eyelets or equivalent devices third, to a method of securing the cord in each bow by the application of an eyelet or equivalent device, which is locked fast after the cord has been passed through the opening in the bow provided for that purpose, as hereinafter specitied.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a bustle with my improvements applied, A A are bows or hoops fastened at their ends to the waistband B and back-strap 0. These bows are supported centrally by a cord, E, which is arranged and secured as hereinafter more fully described, and by braces B located on either side of the central line of the bows. Below the central portion, of the bows A is a bow, D, forming the last of the series, the extremities of which, instead of being brought to the point of convergence of the bows A A, are curved so as to cross or intersect said bows, an eyelet or equivalent retaining device, d, being employed to fasten the parts together at the point of in tersection.

This arrangement of the bow D subserves the following important purposes: First, the curvature of the bow D being more abrupt than it would be if said bow were carried on, as are the bows A, to the same point of convergence, the loop of the bow isdiminished or shortened, whereby greater rigidity and sustaining power are imparted to it. Second, the extremities of the bow D intersecting or crossing the bows A A, and being made fast thereto, serve as braces for said bows A A, aiding them to sustain superincumbent weight or pressure and to resist lateral flexure.

In order to protect the ends of the bows A A, and at the same time to dispense with an independent covering or sheath therefor, backstrap 0 is lapped over and returned or folded upon said ends, and made fast by an eyelet or equivalent device, a. By this arrangement an economical disposition is made of the ends of the back-strap G, the necessity of securing the same by sewing being dispensed with, while the expense of an independent covering for the ends of the bows is obviated. The belt or waistband B is also secured to the tape and bows by an eyelet, b, or an equivalent device, the relative arrangement of the parts being clearly shown in Fig. 2. E shows the cord sustaining the center of the bows. This cord is arranged in the peculiar manner shown in the drawing, crossing between each bow and passing through three openings therein. The cord is passed through each of the extreme openings e.e without being fastened therein, but is locked fast in the central opening by an eyelet, e, or equivalent device, which is inserted and riveted after the cord has been.

passed through said opening. By this means the cord is firmly secured to each bow by a simple and expeditious method, and as any strain to which the cord may be subjected falls first upon its connection with the bow at the openings 6 e, the eyelet is not likely to sustain any injury from such strain, nor the cord to become frayed or worn speedily at that point.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The construction and arrangementof the bow D, substantially as herein described, its extremities being curved so as to cross or intersect the bows A, to which they are secured by a suitable device, as an eyelet.

2. The tape 0, or equivalent strap, lapping over the ends of the bows A A, and made fast by suitable means, as eyelets, substantially as herein described.

3. In combination with the bows, or any number of them, and cord E, the eyelet e, or other device for holding, applied after the cord has been passed through an opening to fasten said bows and cord, substantially as described.

A. W. THOMAS. Witnesses:

APV. BRIESEN, MICHAEL RYAN. 

